Wirral considers minimum price for alcoholic drink - 15th Mar 2011 6:22pm
Wirral considers minimum price for alcoholic drinks
A MINIMUM price for alcohol could move a step closer in Wirral in a bid to tackle underage drinking and anti-social behaviour.
Wirral Council is hoping to lead the way on Merseyside for finding ways of tackling increasing problems related to alcohol abuse.
The authority’s licensing and general purposes committee will receive a report on the plans following public consultation in the borough.
The report asks councillors for “recommendations that are considered appropriate to cabinet”.
Committee chairman Cllr Sue Taylor said the consultation had been “evenly split” for and against the minimum price but the measure would help tackle social problems believed to be related to the availability of cheap alcoholic drinks.
Cllr Taylor said she would be away when the committee meets but is hopeful it will vote for a minimum price.
She said: “If you are a normal drinker you are probably looking at an increase of £1 a month.”
Fiona Johnstone, Director of Public Health for NHS Wirral, said: “NHS Wirral is to support minimum pricing because of the great damage to health wreaked by alcohol.”
Earlier this year Cheshire & Merseyside Public Health Network welcomed Government moves towards a minimum price for alcohol.
THE ECHO
A MINIMUM price for alcohol could move a step closer in Wirral in a bid to tackle underage drinking and anti-social behaviour.
Wirral Council is hoping to lead the way on Merseyside for finding ways of tackling increasing problems related to alcohol abuse.
The authority’s licensing and general purposes committee will receive a report on the plans following public consultation in the borough.
The report asks councillors for “recommendations that are considered appropriate to cabinet”.
Committee chairman Cllr Sue Taylor said the consultation had been “evenly split” for and against the minimum price but the measure would help tackle social problems believed to be related to the availability of cheap alcoholic drinks.
Cllr Taylor said she would be away when the committee meets but is hopeful it will vote for a minimum price.
She said: “If you are a normal drinker you are probably looking at an increase of £1 a month.”
Fiona Johnstone, Director of Public Health for NHS Wirral, said: “NHS Wirral is to support minimum pricing because of the great damage to health wreaked by alcohol.”
Earlier this year Cheshire & Merseyside Public Health Network welcomed Government moves towards a minimum price for alcohol.
THE ECHO